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Honoring Samhain

One of the many wonderful aspects about this time of year is that it does not matter if you are in the “broom closet” or not – this special time of year may be celebrated to your heart’s content and no one will be any the wiser. Even those who are not aligned to a path that resonates with Samhain join in the celebration. This is the case now more than ever as it seems there is a greater acceptance of non-mainstream paths and practices.

The mainstream holiday called Halloween is a descendant of Samhain (pronounced sow-win), a pagan holiday. Samhain celebrates the death and the darkness of the Wheel of the Year and the beginning of the Pagan new year.

In the lunar cycle, it is thought to represent the dark moon, the phase that comes right before the new moon when the sky is completely dark. This year, we’ll have a dark moon that will fall on November 1 – 3 while Samhain will offer a waning crescent in Virgo. The dark moon is generally considered to be the 1 to 3 day period before the new moon.

During the time of Samhain, we honor our ancestors and loved ones who have gone before us. This is considered to be a time when the veil between our planes of existence is much thinner making it easier to make contact. Some people believe that since the veil is thinner, it may also be easier for uninvited energies to come forward as well. For those who feel called to, here are a few suggestions of items thought to offer protection:

Crystals

  • Clear Quartz: deflects negative energy
  • Black Tourmaline: helps to ground your space
  • Black Obsidian: attracts positive energy & absorbs negative energy
  • Selenite: absorbs negative energy, radiates divine energy

Plant Allies

  • Cedar: purification & protection
  • Garden Sage: clears negative energy
  • Rosemary: offers protection & cleansing
  • Cypress: invites grounding while eliminative excess and negative energies

Aside from the mainstream ways we often see Halloween celebrated, let’s explore a few of the traditional ways to celebrate Samhain.

Carve Pumpkins

This is something most of us enjoy! It seems that jack-o’-lanterns have been a staple Halloween tradition for ages. A long time ago, scary faces were carved into turnips as a way to keep evil spirits at bay. The concept is similar to placing a scarecrow in a farm field. Carving a pumpkin can be messy, so sometimes people opt for painting pumpkins instead. In either case, it’s a great opportunity to incorporate a little magic of your own by using sigils as patterns or other imagery that resonates with your path.

Make Mulled Wine or Cider

This recipe is definitely for wine lovers and makes your home smell wonderful: Classic Mulled Wine. If you would prefer to enjoy a cup of warmth minus the alcohol content, this delicious recipe has you covered: Mulled Cider. These are both great for parties or for enjoying on cozy nights at home.

Make it a Dumb Supper

A Dumb Supper is a great way to honor those loved ones who have gone before us. In this case, “dumb” means silence. This is treated as sharing a meal with the dead.

Prepare a menu that includes foods that your loved ones enjoyed and invite them to join you. Place something that holds a special memory or a photo of the loved one you would like to invite on your table at their seat. Enjoy this meal in silence while keeping their memory. Watch and listen for any signs of their presence. If you would like to invite them to stay, leave a little of the food at their seat overnight.

Make an Altar

Creating a temporary altar for our ancestors is a beautiful way to honor their memory especially at this time of year. While some people enjoy having a designated altar table for this purpose, know that any surface will work – even the ledge of a window. It is our intent that matters most. As your space allows, add items that remind you of your loved one, photos, and candles. You can also add a small dish with some of their favorite food or drink. On Samhain Eve, when you feel called to light your candle(s) and say a blessing for your ancestors. Then spend some time reflecting on your favorite memories with them or simply express gratitude for their presence in your life.

Divination

Since the veil is so thin, this is a great time to try a form of divination that calls to you. If you aren’t sure of where to start, this article offers an overview of several types: https://getvibes.art/2021/09/26/divination/. I love to work with my pendulum, meditate to connect with my guides, and do a Tarot reading for the year to come. Or if you would prefer to have someone read for you: Samhain Intuitive Reading. Use coupon code: GVSIRS to save 30%.

Spells

If it resonates with you, this is also a wonderful time to complete spellwork. This protection spell is beginner-friendly: Protection From Unwanted Spirits. Or, try a ritual intended for honoring our ancestors: Samhain Ritual. These are just a couple of ideas for inspiration and to help you get started. The best results are those that come from crafting your own words empowered by your focused intentions.

These are just a handful of many ways to celebrate Samhain. How do you plan to celebrate? What are some of your favorite traditions?

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